Leatrice Eiseman (“Metallic Glimmer”, “PANTONE fashion color report spring 2011”), executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, is the author of seven books on color. She is included in the group of 50 top style makers by Home Furnishings News and noted as “tops in the field of color” by The Color Association. A member of the American Society of Interior Designers and the Industrial Design Society, and chairholder of the international forecasting team for the Pantone View Colour Planner and Color Marketing Group, Lee has helped many companies make the best and most educated choice of color, where color choice is critical to the success of the product or environment. colorexpert.com

David Shah (“Collaborative Branding and the 'You Design Movement' ”) is the publisher of Metropolitan Publishing BV which includes Textile View Magazine, View2, Viewpoint, PANTONE View Colour Planner and View China; co-publisher of United Publishers S.A., Paris' View on Colour and In View Magazine; and co-publisher with CTDC, China of VIFF and CFCA Colour Planner. He is additionally the owner and director of DRS Consultancy BV, a specialist company dealing in publishing, fashion, lifestyle concepts, future strategies and designing and merchandising for men's and women's clothing for leading European and American chain stores and designer labels. view-publications.com/content.html

Tom Mirabile has held senior merchant and product development positions with corporations like Neiman Marcus Group, Horchow and Bloomingdales among others, and has designed home collections for such icons as Vera Wang, Kenneth Cole and Calvin Klein. In his current role as senior vice president of Global Trend and Design for Lifetime Brands, he provides creative direction for some of the most well-respected brands in the housewares and tabletop industries. Tom travels globally to gather information on color, style and lifestyle trends, and also serves as Lifestyle Trend Forecaster for the International Housewares Association.

photo : Edward Addeo

Keith Recker (“Contemplation”), is founder and editor of HAND/EYE Magazine, a print and online publication that explores the nexus between art, craft, design, philanthropy and enlightened consumption. Currently a consultant to Pantone Color Studios as well as WGSN, with 20 years experience as a home furnishings executive, Keith Recker has a deep knowledge of product sourcing and color and has helped to shape brands, products and services into sharply communicative and results-oriented vehicles. handeyemagazine.com

Martha Seidner (“Trends: Product + Packaging: Design's Golden Age”) is the vice president of Smith Design, an award-winning design firm specializing in brand identity, structural + graphic packaging and brand communications. Founded over 30 years ago, Smith Design has offices in Glen Ridge, New Jersey and Carmel, California. Martha is a branding expert with over 20 years experience at the firm, working with leading consumer products companies including Unilever Foods, Rubbermaid, Hain Celestial Group, Scholastic Media, Johanna Foods, Pepperidge Farm, Vivitar and others. smithdesign.com

Fiona Jenvey (“Spring / Summer 2012 Activewear: The Age of Collective Creation”), an inspirational forecaster of fashion, lifestyle and business trends, is a successful businesswoman who has established and developed the UK's leading forecasting organization that now operates in over 50 countries. As CEO of Mudpie Ltd, which she founded in 1992, Fiona is a much sought-after analyst on fashion and lifestyle trends in newspapers and magazines, from the London Evening Standard to the New York Times. She is also a regular speaker at conferences and exhibitions around the world, providing globally respected trend insights. mudpie.co.uk

Marije Vogelzang graduated from Design Academy Eindhoven and chose to use food as her main material because of her love for it. In addition to her many commissions and self-initiated projects, she is the founder of Proef restaurants, "eating places that started out as food design studios" in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Marije's work is featured in the book crEATe: Eating, Design and Future Food by Martin Raymond and Chris Sanderson, and she has just published her first monograph, Eat Love, an overview of her work of the past 10 years. www.marijevogelzang.nl/www.marijevogelzang.nl/overzicht.html

Alan Dessy is president and CEO of The Dessy Group, the leading manufacturer of bridesmaid, social occasion, flower girl and destination wedding dresses under the labels Dessy Collection, Cynthia Rowley Bridesmaids, After Six, Alfred Sung, Lela Rose Bridesmaid and Sandals Destination Wedding Dresses.

For more information about The Dessy Group, please visit www.dessy.com.